Maintaining Good Spirits & High Energy During The Heavier Part Of The Season.
As Winter continues on, we notice an increase of moisture in the air as a result of the rain and snow. That element of moisture represents Kapha energy and is the reason we suggest leaning more towards fire, ether and air elements during this part of the season to balance out the rise in Kapha. Also, if you have a Kapha dominant constitution, or Kapha imbalances, this is the one of the more sensitive times of the year for you, up through Spring, meaning you may experience your imbalances more frequently around this time.
Please take your free Dosha Quiz if you have not, it'll really help you to understand and apply the tips and practices we suggest here.
Real quick reminder before we continue:
Kapha's qualities/elements:
Earth, Water, Heavy, Dull, Moist, Cold, Dense, Dark
Signs of Kapha imbalance:
The elements above, when out of balance, can contribute to low energy, water retention, weight gain, a heavy mind, depression, coldness in the body, lethargy, colds, congestion, lack of motivation, sinus issues and allergies.
In the beginning of Winter we talked about the qualities being mostly of..
Vata
Air, Ether, Light, Dry, Rough, Cold
.... as the weather cooled down from the Fall and picked up wind along with it.
Kapha was also present during that time, but now Kapha is taking the lead with Vata lessening, more so balancing, due to the introduction of it's opposites, the moist and heavy nature of Kapha.
So we still have a Vata/Kapha relationship here, they have just turned their tables. This has the most meaning for Kapha types or constitution.
Right now, Pittas are happy in Wintery wonderland, and Vatas do well with the heavy, dense and grounding energies present right now, so keep doing what you've been doing if you aren't experiencing any of the signs of imbalance from above. The cocktail of elements during this time are palliative for the Pitta type. Lifestyle and wellbeing management is simply maintaining. If you got a rhythm going and it's working, keep it doing it. Whatever rituals, practices and herbs you are taking, continue that. Not much change needed for the balanced Pitta or Vata right now.
Oh by the way, again, if you don't know your Dosha from working 1:1 with me, you can take your free Dosha test here. I promise, it's good to know! Otherwise, these 'Living In Rhythm' posts won't penetrate as deep and you may begin to feel confused about the recommendations. The link will take you to the Banyan Botanicals site where you can take a free Dosha quiz. I'll share my coupon code at the bottom of this post so you can enjoy 15% off your first order if you decide to grab something while there!
You can also schedule an Ayurvedic Wellbeing Consult with me to learn your Dosha AND management of current, active issues you may be having for a more individualized plan, a curated detox plan and my guidance.
What this time means for Kapha types (or other types experiencing Kapha imbalances).
Mental:
Pay extra special attention and care to your moods and any shifts. Try to identify causes of those shifts, was it internal? or external? Something you ate? Something you heard? Something you saw? A random thought? What triggered the random thought? (then repeat above questions).
You are doing this as a way to minimize or eliminate the causes of unpleasant or distracting mood shifts. We aren't condemning anything or rejecting anything, we are investigating a thing. This matters because during late Winter it's even more vital that we manage our mental well-being, keep it clear of the junk, because soon we will be planting spring seeds into the fertile soil of our subconscious mind, and we need it clean....and fertile, ready to birth life, ideas and actions of creation. This is the time to notice any lingering weeds (unhealthy self talk, thought patterns, perceptions, or stories) and remove them or transmute them.
Physical:
Some physical indications of a Kapha imbalance are increase in joint pain and swelling, a decrease in your digestive fire accompanied with GI discomforts like indigestion and bloating or your appetite may seem to fluctuate constantly giving....irregularity, which may be a reflection of your mind. As we know physical and mental are linked, they feed each other, they express through one another. But as for Vatas, if you've been doing all I suggested during Fall and early Winter, you should be feeling pretty grounded, loved and motivated right now. Kaphas may be experiencing an increase in congestion, sinus issues or even food allergies during this time.
For both Vata and Kapha types, we want to now start introducing those opposite qualities for optimal health, balance and mental wellbeing:
🔥
Fire, Heat, Mobility, Light (aka Pitta qualities, or maybe hang out with a Pitta person 🥵)
So, here I'll introduce and offer some suggested changes and shifts to make as we dance to the rhythm of this season and prepare to welcome the beauty of Spring!
This gradual shift will carry us into the Spring where Kapha will continue to increase, so we want to continue to favor heating and light qualities from now until the entering of the next season. When we begin our shifts early, we give space for gradual change giving us a higher chance of success implementing those changes and maintaining balance. This is what Living In Rhythm is all about!
Foods/Tastes
Increase:
Bitter, Astringent, Pungent (Please note, it is ok to continue the foods from the early Winter food list, just start pairing these on the plate in more quantity now. Remember, gradual).
Grapefruit, Lemons, artichokes, ginger, black pepper, pippali, cloves, cayenne pepper, garlic, horse radish, turmeric, winter greens, leafy greens, blueberries, cranberries, bitter melon, aloe, nut butters, oranges.
Continue with warm cooked foods high in natural oils and using healthy oils when cooking. (Mustard seed oil is best to use, I'll post the recipe at the end).
Season food with the Winter spice mix you made in the beginning of the season, the recipe is still up under the announcements on the app, just scroll down the announcements to find it along with all the other delicious Winter recipes.
Start to Minimize:
Dairy, fatty meats, salt, roasted nuts, fruit and veggies not in season.
Rituals
Self Oil Massage (Abhyanga)
Continue to protect your skin and Aura with your daily practice of rubbing down with a generous amount of oil before a steamy shower or bath. First thing in the morning or right before bed are the best times. Remember not to wash it all off with soap in the shower, oil removes dirt, save your soap for the nooks and crannies, once out just dab to dry off and you should not need to add more oil for moisturizing, the oil should be well and penetrated into your skin after the steamy bath or shower. (See below for this seasons list of suggested oil to use)
Drink Orange Peel & Licorice tea in the morning 🌞 to start the day (recipe here)
Drink Winter Rejuvenating Tonic at night 🌚 to wrap up the day (recipe here)
Use neti pot daily with a mineral salt solution for issues with congestion paired with breath work practices listed below.
Practices/Lifestyle
Add heating movement and breath work to your morning routine, first thing in the morning when Kapha is at it's highest (Pittas are most likely already up and moving, Kaphas are cursing me right now for suggesting an early rise 😅).
YOGA & BREATH: Increase number of rounds of sun salutations, moving in sync with the breath, introduce heating breath work into your practice now such as Kapalbhati. Just join us Saturday mornings for our Awaken flow where we practice around the season's suggestions. Right now we start at 9am MST but as we further along into Spring, I'll be changing to earlier times. If you don't know how to do Kapalbhati, check my YT video on how to.
MEDITATION: Introduce heating and releasing meditation practices and visualization into your practice such as fire, flames, sun and related, meditations. You can practice with us every Monday morning 7am MST where our practice is themed around these seasonal recommendations I share in the blog series. Notice:Meditate with Me
Dosha Notes:
If you don't know your Dosha, take your quiz on Banyan or schedule an Ayurvedic consultation with me for a customized plan.
K- If experiencing depression, fatigue, low energy when properly rested, heaviness in the body and/or mind, or sluggish digestion-avoid day time napping.
P- If you're not experiencing any issues in digestion such as acid reflux, or if you typically "run warm" there isn't much need for change at this time. Continue with the early Winter recommendations from the last post and continue to make "obvious" healthy choices.
V- It's important you continue taking in healthy oils and fats when introducing astringents and bitters into your diet, you can continue with root veggies and healthy comfort foods, what's important for you right now is routine, warmth and consistency to balance feelings of restlessness, constipation and the health of the nervous system.
Herbs & Stuff
Daily Massage Oil For Tender Areas
Supports Blood Flow & Healthy Circulation
Nourishes and Rehydrates the Skin
Relaxes Joint and Tissues
Poor circulation deprives the body of nutrients and vital oxygen, often resulting in tender, swollen parts of the body. Santhwanam Oil supports healthy circulation to minimize swelling and discomfort.
Brain and Neurological Function
Supports Motor Skills & Coordination
Nervous System Support
Adaptogenic Support For The Mental, Physical, & Emotional Manifestations Of Stress
Also known by its Sanskrit name Atmagupta, which means “the secret self within,” Mucuna pruriens has been recognized and used traditionally for thousands of years in Ayurveda for its relaxing and supporting effect on the mind & body, to improve sexual health in infertile men and as an aphrodisiac. As an excellent source of a very important neurotransmitter which plays an important role in memory, mood and motivation, mucuna not only supports optimal brain functions, overall relaxation and sleep, but also supports mood, sexual desire, and muscle coordination.
Pure Himalayan Vitality
Supports Metabolic Health & Immune Readiness, Response, & Function
Supports Nutrient Absorption & The Body’s Natural Detoxifying Process
Supports Longevity, Health Aging, & Vitality
Helps Maintain Energy Levels & Stamina
In Ayurveda, Shilajit is classified as a Rasayana, an herb that supports longevity, vitality, healthy aging, overall well-being, and whole-body rejuvenation. This rare resin-like substance is believed to nourish and balance the seven elements of the body –plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow, and reproductive fluid.
Shilajit is a powerhouse phytocomplex naturally rich in fulvic acid, antioxidants, and 80+ essential minerals to help support the immune system, cognitive function, andmetabolic health. Fulvic acid is a powerful detox ally, supporting the natural elimination of toxins. Shilajit’s composition also supports an impressive nutrient absorption, actively transporting nutrients deep into the tissues, lending additional support to the immune system, and helping maintain energy levels.
Note: If on a budget, choose Shilajit!!!!
*Each 1-capsule serving delivers 12.5 mg of Fulvic acid.
Use promo code TashiraP15 at checkout for 15% off your first order of herbs listed above at Kerala Ayurveda!
Don't forget to take your free Dosha Quiz! at Banyan Botanicals. If you decide to purchase any of the recommendations given based on your quiz results, use promo code BLOOLOTUS15 for 15% off your first order!
OMG you made it! Here is that recipe for the Mustard Seed Oil! I love this stuff!
Mustard Seed Oil
Spicy Oil
Ingredients:
1 cup of oil (sunflower or coconut)
2 tbsp of Mustard Seeds (I like using both yellow and black mustard seeds)
1 tbsp of cumin seeds
1 tsp of hing (such a powerful spice, pungent)
1.5 tbsp of Turmeric
Directions:
Heat the oil in a pan. Add 2 - 3 mustard seeds in oil while it is heating. They will start popping once the oil is hot.
Remove the pan from heat and add the remaining mustard seeds and cover the pot.
After the seeds stop popping, add cumin seeds, hing and turmeric.
Allow the oil to cool down for 5 minutes and then pour it in a thick glass jar or oil jar and store at room temperature. This is the basic step of many recipes, so keeping this spicy oil ready will save a lot of time.
This oil has that pungent and warming quality to it that’s needed during this time and you can continue using this oil during the Spring. It's perfect when sautéing winter greens and veggies or root veggies.
That's all for now!
...And of course don't hesitate to comment on this post with any questions about all of this! Something that helps is to copy and paste the recommendations into your phone notes for easy reference when planning and prepping.
See ya'll on the other side....🛸
~Shi
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